7 VERB If you circle something on a piece of paper, you draw a circle around it. □ [V n] Circle the correct answers on the coupon below.
8 N‑COUNT You can refer to a group of people as a circle when they meet each other regularly because they are friends or because they belong to the same profession or share the same interests. □ [+ of ] He has a small circle of friends. □ Alton has made himself fiercely unpopular in certain circles.
9 N‑SING In a theatre or cinema, the circle is an area of seats on the upper floor.
10 → see also Arctic Circle , dress circle , inner circle , vicious circle , virtuous circle
11 PHRASE If you say that you have come full circle or have turned full circle , you mean that after a long series of events or changes the same situation that you started with still exists. □ We've come full circle and dark-blue jeans are once again the height of style. SYNONYMS circle NOUN 1
ring: …a ring of blue smoke.
disc: Most shredding machines are based on a revolving disc with replaceable blades.
round: …small fresh rounds of goats' cheese.
cir|cuit ◆◇◇ /sɜː r k I t/ (circuits )
1 N‑COUNT An electrical circuit is a complete route which an electric current can flow around. □ Any attempts to cut through the cabling will break the electrical circuit.
2 → see also closed-circuit , short-circuit
3 N‑COUNT A circuit is a series of places that are visited regularly by a person or group, especially as a part of their job. □ It's a common problem, the one I'm asked about most when I'm on the lecture circuit.
4 N‑COUNT A racing circuit is a track on which cars, motorbikes, or cycles race. [mainly BRIT ]
5 N‑COUNT A circuit of a place or area is a journey all the way round it. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] She made a slow circuit of the room.
ci r|cuit board (circuit boards ) N‑COUNT A circuit board is the same as a printed circuit board .
ci r|cuit break|er (circuit breakers ) also circuit-breaker N‑COUNT A circuit breaker is a device which can stop the flow of electricity around a circuit by switching itself off if anything goes wrong. □ There is an internal circuit breaker to protect the instrument from overload.
cir|cui|tous /sə r kjuː I təs/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A circuitous route is long and complicated rather than simple and direct. [FORMAL ] □ The cabdriver took them on a circuitous route to the police station.
cir|cuit|ry /sɜː r k I tri/ N‑UNCOUNT Circuitry is a system of electric circuits. □ The computer's entire circuitry was on a single board.
ci r|cuit train|ing N‑UNCOUNT Circuit training is a type of physical training in which you do a series of different exercises, each for a few minutes.
cir|cu|lar /sɜː r kjʊlə r / (circulars )
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Something that is circular is shaped like a circle. □ …a circular hole twelve feet wide and two feet deep. □ Using a circular motion, massage gently.
2 → see also semi-circular
3 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A circular journey or route is one in which you go to a place and return by a different route. □ Both sides of the river can be explored on this circular walk.
4 ADJ A circular argument or theory is not valid because it uses a statement to prove something which is then used to prove the statement.
5 N‑COUNT A circular is an official letter or advertisement that is sent to a large number of people at the same time. □ The proposal has been widely publicised in information circulars sent to newspapers.
ci r|cu|lar sa w (circular saws ) N‑COUNT A circular saw is a round metal disc with a sharp edge which is used for cutting wood and other materials. [BRIT ] in AM, use buzzsaw
cir|cu|late /sɜː r kjʊle I t/ (circulates , circulating , circulated )
1 VERB If a piece of writing circulates or is circulated , copies of it are passed round among a group of people. □ [be V -ed] The document was previously circulated in New York at the United Nations. □ [V n] Public employees, teachers and liberals are circulating a petition for his recall. □ [V ] This year anonymous leaflets have been circulating in Beijing. ● cir|cu|la|tion /sɜː r kjʊle I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …an inquiry into the circulation of 'unacceptable literature'.
2 VERB If something such as a rumour circulates or is circulated , the people in a place tell it to each other. □ [V ] Rumours were already beginning to circulate that the project might have to be abandoned. □ [be V -ed] I deeply resented those sort of rumours being circulated at a time of deeply personal grief. [Also V n]
3 VERB When something circulates , it moves easily and freely within a closed place or system. □ [V ] …a virus which circulates via the bloodstream and causes ill health in a variety of organs. □ [V ] Cooking odours can circulate throughout the entire house. [Also V prep] ● cir|cu|la|tion N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] Use a fan to aid the circulation of air in the room. □ [+ of ] …the principle of free circulation of goods.
4 VERB If you circulate at a party, you move among the guests and talk to different people. □ [V ] Let me get you something to drink, then I must circulate.